Tia, hello. I like the larger tile as the smaller one competes with the pattern of the granite.

I am not a pro, but I have similar granite. I would go with the larger tile, as the small tile/pattern is very close to the kind of busy pattern of the granite. The large ones are more soothing, in my opinion.

i like the large tiles as well.

I agree that the large ones look best. But both look too pinkish to me compared to the counter. Could be the lighting or my computer?

There are many, many versions of the tile you show on the right so I think it would be worth it to keep shopping to find a tone that blended better with your counter. It's a bit too much shade variation between the tiles and a bit too pink.

What color are your cabinets?

I would not use either of the styles here. The porous surfaces will get very dirty, very quickly, and be hard to clean. I would stick with a glazed, glass, metal, or polished stone tile.

I prefer polished tumble stone in a neutral color to relate to the granite.

Thanks everyone. I am leaning towards a cream variation of the 2x4, which I need to find, but I am open to other suggestions as well. The cabinets are a mocha glaze, I tried to get them in the photo below.

I would go with something that adds a bit of contrast. Those two choices are too busy and not quite the right color. I'm partial to glass tile but if you want stone I would pick something a lot less busy. Good luck, I'm sure it will be fantastic!

I agree with Beckham as far as the porous service. You cannot wipe these down, think of all the gunk that will build up in them. I also agree that the color does not work well with your granite at all. I would go with glass subway tile. The color will depend on your cabinet color. But what ever color you choose the look is stunning and so easy to keep clean. Have fun!

Why not pick up one of the colours in the granite and go solid as seen in this ref pic

Definitely the larger, but the color is wrong. Go with the same large tile, but change the color theme to something that has golds, beiges and almond. Then use a grout closest to the beige.

And perhaps they may look pinkish from the camera.

I like the larger tile, It looks good and also suit your cabinets. Go for it.

I don't like either one!

I hope you don't regret asking as it is pretty unanimous that these two tile options aren't the best you could find to do justice to your new kitchen!

This is a slightly different granite to yours, but see how the backsplash tile picks up on the colours in the granite and doesn't fight with it? And it is glass, as Anna suggested:

Plain subway tile to complement your granite. We picked a tan color in the granite for subway tiles. That way it doesn't compete

Second pic up close. Tile is beveled.

Backsplash is too busy with counter granite. Had pretty much the same granite and similar backsplash put in my new home. Hated it........had it all ripped out. Black splash has to be solid. Don't be sorry later.

Too pink.

@meredithharris i really like a lot of the elements in yr kitchen. I especially like the centre work table.
Very nice kitchen.

I agree that a solid ceramic or porcelain subway tile will look the best with this granite. Meredithharris - lovely kitchen.

Thanks everyone! Meredithharris, we remodeled a kitchen in our previous home and went with a beveled subway tile and loved it. I was trying to go with different materials on this one but it's a force fit. I am going to look at cream porcelain or ceramic subways, maybe even glass. I appreciate everyone's honesty!

A marble herringbone mosaic tile would look nice

They both look pink-ish to me, too. The granite has so much pattern/movement in it. I would choose a backsplash that doesn't compete.

Smaller ones

Hi---of the two pictured, I prefer the stacked (smaller) one. I do think glass would look nice-nothing too busy though. The travertine you are considering hasn't enough muted yellow tone to tie in with the granite. Here's some inspiration for you. Good Luck!
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Brick!

Good luck tia_ns. Yes, we did our kitchen a while ago, which is why it probably looks like your old kitchen. I know it is not the most up-to-date, but it seems to be classic/modern enough not to go out of style. Thanks for the kitchen compliments tgb1 and anne dee. That was my first posting. =)

Neither one matches. Try a more golden color to match the granite

I don't think either works. Both are too busy for the granite. Look at tiles that are not competing with the counters. Glass or subway. Mainly solid in color and texture.

Try stainless steel subway tile.

Neither - too busy with the granite pattern. Look for something with less variation in the colors of the tiles.

I have a similar granite, very busy I went with a small white subway tile, but I have white cabinets. It looks good!

The color of the first is better but such small tiles. The second is a nice size but very, very pink.

I am sorry to disagree with some posters, but I think the smaller tile (on the left) is mostly one color that blends better with the color of the counter top. The larger tile has too many peach-colored sections that add an additional -- and excessive -- color to the scheme.

I also don't like either one - to busy. Could you try something more simple.

What did you end up doing?

I disagree with those who insist that anything other than glass tiles would be hard to keep. I have had my backsplash of 2x2 tumbled travertine in a very textured basket weave for over 4 years and have had no "build up of gunk". I spray it with DuPont replenisher cleaner and around the stove area wipe it off with a kitchen towel if I've been frying on the back burners. But other than that there is no extra maintenance. It doesn't show water splatters around the sink like glass would. Or fingerprints. Just because the design world says that's what
You have to have doesn't make it the best choice.

I like the larger tile best, the smaller tile I think will be to busy. Here is a option also.

I think they both will look too busy

They both have to much movement with the granite, so if you use a travertine with a little more gold and maybe a 4x4 size travertine it will be less busy. Just afraid if you get all this up, it might get to busy! Good luck, take your time in your decision!